We have been looking to stock a marquetry longcase clock for many many months but the right one never comes along. Now it has. For me this ticks all of the boxes.
Made in c.1690 by Christopher Gould, an eminent maker of the period, this is typical of ‘William and Mary’ styling, when marquetry furniture was at its most fashionable. The marquetry panels are exquisitely crafted, depicting birds among foliage. The sides of the case and the background are a rich caramel-coloured burr walnut, sympathetically restored over the years where the typical shrinkage causes loss. It is pleasing to find an example where the marquetry base panel in particular is complete and original.
The proportions are perfect. The case stands at 204cms tall, and has a rising hood, as was the norm for clocks of this era. Even at my height of 5 feet 2 inches, I have no problem winding the clock, as the hood rises onto a sprung latch.
The hood has barley twist columns and a delicately carved fretwork frieze, with a marquetry border to the dial.
The 8-day count wheel striking movement has bolt and shutter maintaining power, operated by a cord.
The 11-inch brass dial with matted centre engraved with a rose to the hands, and with subsidiary dial for seconds and a date aperture is signed Chrs. Gould Londini Fecit. The four corners have cherub’s head spandrels.
The clock has the original brass-bound weights and pendulum.
Christopher Gould who was made a Free Brother in the Clockmakers’ Company in 1682. In 1697 he signed the Clockmakers’ Company oath of allegiance. In 1701 he worked near the east corner of the Royal Exchange. He was Beadle of the Company in 1713 but by then was receiving a charity pension which continued until his death in 1718.
His work is always of the highest standards which is comparable to that of his contemporaries such as Tompion , Fromanteel and Graham.
The hood has, at some time in its past, been converted to a forward sliding hood. If preferred, it would no longer be a horological crime to reconvert it using the same screw holes for the runners. Although note my point about the ease of winding it as is.
The movement is to be overhauled and the clock is sold with a 3-year guarantee.
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